Tonight Paul and I went to Soaring Eagle Casino to see my beloved Reba. I danced and sang at the top of my lungs through the entire concert. I am positive the people in front of me wanted to take my new Reba shirt and hat and shove it down my throat but I could have cared less. I was singing, in person, with my favorite entertainer of all time! We were in the 8th row and she was just a few feet away. I was in heaven. At the end she pretended like she was done but anyone that knows Reba knows she never does a concert without singing "Fancy" so I called Cindy Brady in WA and let her hear the finale live. I could hardly hear Cindy but she said she was dancing her butt off the entire song. As soon as Paul and I walked out I started wondering when her next close concert would be. This is my 8th time seeing her and I saw women with shirts saying they have seen her 20 times. I want that shirt!!! I know I am crazy but I have been a Reba fan for her entire career. I've watched all of her movies, have most of her CD's (had some tapes and records but have replaced them), watched all 5 years of her TV show, read both of her books, but I never got to see her on Broadway. She did "Annie Get Your Gun." I've always said that my dying "Make a Wish" would be to see Reba on Oprah. When I graduated from college I got into the car with Dad, while still in my grad gown, and when I turned on the car the song "Is There Life Out There?" was on the radio. This song is about an older woman going back to college, Reba even made a movie about it. I just about died! I started crying - talk about a irony.
I finally went to visit Charlie and Kortnie in their new house - Nana and Pupa's house! It took everything I had not to cry when I walked in my son's home that was so familiar to me. I wasn't sad, I was very happy. I am so proud of the home Charlie and Kortnie are making for themselves. The house was as neat as a pin and very welcoming. He finally had a couple of days off because he is working all the time at Vesuvius, which is his dad's old company. This is why I am just getting up there to see him. He has been working weekends and I was working weekdays. Now that I am off I could make it up there to visit during the week. I was about bursting with pride when he was showing where he needed to put some grass seed, how he cleaned out the gutters, and telling Cheri she needed to be responsible and work as much as she could to make some money. My boy is a man now and a wonderful role model for his younger siblings. The icing on the cake is he is on Gregory St and I love that house and him.
Here are some pictures of Reba and Charlie and Kortnie...I know, strange combination but I love them all!
Love Ya
THE RAMIREZ, ANDERSON, AND DEFALCO FAMILY - WE LOVE FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOOD, FUN, AND FUR!!!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Summertime and the living is easy....
I am finally out of school and enjoying the freedom to do a ton of chores at the Ramirez Ranch. I started off cleaning my basement and having a huge garage sale. For two days Cheri and I met dozens of characters and sold a ton of stuff. We still have a ton left. I have taken 3 carloads to Lions and Goodwill and still have a couple of carloads left. At least I now know everything that is in this house. I'm still working on the organizing part but it is manageable now. Next I have to do the same thing with the barn. I'm taking a break before tackling that project.
We are working on our backyard now. I haven't taken pictures yet, maybe I will tomorrow. We bought a pool so Cheri and I are excited to get that up so we can float around in it. Paul is making a deck, I am making a rock retaining wall, and then comes the pool, grass, and fence. Lots of work.
We had a sad meal last weekend. Clemente's closed its' doors after 80 years. I've been going there almost 50 of those. For those of you that don't know Clemente's is a bar, restaurant, and 6 lane bowling alley. My Nana and Pupa have been going there forever, as have the rest of us. They have amazing pizza and Italian food. Joe, Rose, and Eddie ran it after their parents quit and they are just getting too old to continue (Eddie died a few years back). Their kids have other careers so it is closing. I bowled there for many years. I think I started bowling there when I was 13. Pupa went there for 2 beers everyday after work and then came home to dinner. Pupa, Mom, and Mike all bowled there too. We would eat dinner every Friday with Nana, Pupa, Mom, me, Kathy, Scott, and Jennifer when we all lived with Nana and Pupa. My Dad always had to have Clemente's pizza when he came into town. I don't think I will ever be able to drive down Fort Street again, at least down that way. They are tearing it down. So very sad but so many wonderful memories.
Saturday my Dad's side of the family had a reunion at Kelly's in Indiana. My Aunt Linda from Tahoe, Uncle Thomas and Aunt Gail from Austin, Kim, Taylor, and Dylan from Chicago, and us from Michigan. Charlie and Kortnie couldn't join us because Charlie had to work. Tara and her gang couldn't be there because her kids have her running this summer. I totally enjoyed Mike and Kelly's girls. Izzy is 2 and Laney is 10 months (I think). Izzy is the most entertaining kid I think I have ever met. She is going to be an entertainer I am sure. Delaney is as sweet as pie and I got my baby fix by cuddling her up. Izzy spent most of the day naked so she could swim and was very comfortable with that. I gave her a Zumba coin skirt and she wore just that while shaking her booty. She was too funny. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone but it wasn't enough time with our loved ones. We all live in different states and our time together is precious.
We met our friends, Terry and Terry, at Summerfest as we do every year. Yes, they named their oldest boy Terry too if you were wondering. Cheri, Alex, and I were trying to win these bunnies at the fair and blew 20 bucks with no luck. The Terrys told us that some friends of theirs had moved and left their dwarf bunny with the Terrys and they were looking for a permanent home for him. Of course we were in the "Awww, these are so cute we want one" stage and said we would take him. So now we have a new bunny. He is the most unique looking bunny I have ever seen. He is very sweet and a bit more confident that Butterscotch was. He loves to explore and isn't afraid of much, even the dogs. We had all the bunny stuff and we have been missing our bunny so this is a good thing. I'm even thinking about getting a pig, maybe some goats, even thinking a horse would be nice. We do live on a farm. You know me and my critters. By the way, Romeo is up to 60 some pounds. I can't lift him anymore to weigh him. He is a Mama's boy and I am happy about that. Cheyenne loves her Daddy. Romeo is all about me. I knew my Newfie would be my soul mate.
I am on a golf league, much to my surprise. My good friend, Debbie, lost her partner and she woke me up and asked me to partner with her and I groggily agreed. I started Monday and had a lot of fun. I shot a 50 on a 9 hole but that is pretty good considering I can't remember the last time I picked up my clubs. I am also teaching some Zumba classes this summer at Jane's work a couple of evenings a week and at Dance Express a couple of mornings a week. I love my Zumba!
I also just found out today that we will get Anna around the 10th or 11th of August. This means she will be here in time to go to Myrtle Beach with us! I am so looking forward to having her here. We have been chatting on facebook and she is a sweetheart. We are going to have a ton of fun. I am so happy her parents are letting her stay with us. I know that won't be easy to have her gone all year.
I hope you are having a wonderful summer!
Love Ya,
Cindy
We are working on our backyard now. I haven't taken pictures yet, maybe I will tomorrow. We bought a pool so Cheri and I are excited to get that up so we can float around in it. Paul is making a deck, I am making a rock retaining wall, and then comes the pool, grass, and fence. Lots of work.
We had a sad meal last weekend. Clemente's closed its' doors after 80 years. I've been going there almost 50 of those. For those of you that don't know Clemente's is a bar, restaurant, and 6 lane bowling alley. My Nana and Pupa have been going there forever, as have the rest of us. They have amazing pizza and Italian food. Joe, Rose, and Eddie ran it after their parents quit and they are just getting too old to continue (Eddie died a few years back). Their kids have other careers so it is closing. I bowled there for many years. I think I started bowling there when I was 13. Pupa went there for 2 beers everyday after work and then came home to dinner. Pupa, Mom, and Mike all bowled there too. We would eat dinner every Friday with Nana, Pupa, Mom, me, Kathy, Scott, and Jennifer when we all lived with Nana and Pupa. My Dad always had to have Clemente's pizza when he came into town. I don't think I will ever be able to drive down Fort Street again, at least down that way. They are tearing it down. So very sad but so many wonderful memories.
Saturday my Dad's side of the family had a reunion at Kelly's in Indiana. My Aunt Linda from Tahoe, Uncle Thomas and Aunt Gail from Austin, Kim, Taylor, and Dylan from Chicago, and us from Michigan. Charlie and Kortnie couldn't join us because Charlie had to work. Tara and her gang couldn't be there because her kids have her running this summer. I totally enjoyed Mike and Kelly's girls. Izzy is 2 and Laney is 10 months (I think). Izzy is the most entertaining kid I think I have ever met. She is going to be an entertainer I am sure. Delaney is as sweet as pie and I got my baby fix by cuddling her up. Izzy spent most of the day naked so she could swim and was very comfortable with that. I gave her a Zumba coin skirt and she wore just that while shaking her booty. She was too funny. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone but it wasn't enough time with our loved ones. We all live in different states and our time together is precious.
We met our friends, Terry and Terry, at Summerfest as we do every year. Yes, they named their oldest boy Terry too if you were wondering. Cheri, Alex, and I were trying to win these bunnies at the fair and blew 20 bucks with no luck. The Terrys told us that some friends of theirs had moved and left their dwarf bunny with the Terrys and they were looking for a permanent home for him. Of course we were in the "Awww, these are so cute we want one" stage and said we would take him. So now we have a new bunny. He is the most unique looking bunny I have ever seen. He is very sweet and a bit more confident that Butterscotch was. He loves to explore and isn't afraid of much, even the dogs. We had all the bunny stuff and we have been missing our bunny so this is a good thing. I'm even thinking about getting a pig, maybe some goats, even thinking a horse would be nice. We do live on a farm. You know me and my critters. By the way, Romeo is up to 60 some pounds. I can't lift him anymore to weigh him. He is a Mama's boy and I am happy about that. Cheyenne loves her Daddy. Romeo is all about me. I knew my Newfie would be my soul mate.
I am on a golf league, much to my surprise. My good friend, Debbie, lost her partner and she woke me up and asked me to partner with her and I groggily agreed. I started Monday and had a lot of fun. I shot a 50 on a 9 hole but that is pretty good considering I can't remember the last time I picked up my clubs. I am also teaching some Zumba classes this summer at Jane's work a couple of evenings a week and at Dance Express a couple of mornings a week. I love my Zumba!
I also just found out today that we will get Anna around the 10th or 11th of August. This means she will be here in time to go to Myrtle Beach with us! I am so looking forward to having her here. We have been chatting on facebook and she is a sweetheart. We are going to have a ton of fun. I am so happy her parents are letting her stay with us. I know that won't be easy to have her gone all year.
I hope you are having a wonderful summer!
Love Ya,
Cindy
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
It's a Girl !!!!
We have decided to take in an exchange student for next year. She is from Austria, is 15, and her name is Anna. She writes in English very well and we have been communicating on facebook. We are all really excited to get her here in the US. She will be here from August until June so many of you will meet her since she will be a part of our family. We are working on getting her here before our Myrtle Beach vacation so we can take her with us. I am already making a list of things I want to do with her while she is here. I'd love to do a New York trip with her for Spring Break, maybe a DC trip over a long weekend, Mackinac Island, Cedar Point, Amish country in Indiana, as well as a million other things she wouldn't see in Austria. She had an exchange student from the US at her house and that girl lives in Kansas. I would like to work something out so they can see one another while Anna is here. Anna seems like a sweetheart. She comes from a really good family, her mom is a teacher and her dad owns an art gallery. She also has several sisters. It must be difficult to give her to us for a year but we are grateful they are.
Romeo is up to 54 pound now and he is only 4 1/2 months old. Paul cut me a path around our property and I take the dogs for a walk almost every day. I call it El Rastro de Ramirez (Ramirez Trail). Romeo has the sweetest disposition. He loves to cuddle and is always happy. He is starting to lose the fuzzy puppy fur and get some silky fur. I don't like him growing up but that's what I signed up for. I just want him to stay that fluffy puppy forever.
Last Wednesday night I went to the Sex and the City 2 midnight showing with Paul, Cheri, and Alex. She wanted to see it with me before she left for Alabama with Alex's family. Friday I went to Kalamazoo and saw it again with Clint and Amanda. We did dinner, movie, and cocktails afterwards at Burdicks (where Amanda works). Saturday we waited for Clint to get off work at 1 PM and then we took off to South Haven to shop, walk on the pier, and walk on the beach. It was a wonderful day. The kids' apartment is beautiful. They live on the ground floor and out their sliding glass door is an incredible yard. I have a picture below. On Sunday I went to see SATC 2 again with the girls from Zumba after a nice dinner at the Elephant Bar. Good thing it was a good movie! BTW - I wore my Jimmy Choos every time I went!!!
School is winding down to the last 2 weeks. We are done with the final newspaper and the yearbook. I have a picture of the kids sorting the yearbooks for distribution. I don't think anyone knows what goes into the creating and distribution of this book. It is a HUGE undertaking. The book was beautiful and won an Award of Excellence. This means our book will be used for sale promotions and educational examples. The kids were really proud of this achievement. Our newspaper has taking a lot of heat this year because my kids write about some subjects that others aren't thrilled about. They wrote one about band, robotics, and choir not being a sport and should not get varsity letters and jackets. That prompted some angry letters. They also wrote about this contest we are in with Pepsi trying to get enough votes to win $250,000 to build a new weight room for our athletes. My students thought some of the other groups running had more right to win (homeless shelter, cancer research, etc). The people that started this contest said that it would help fight obesity, but the kids said that unless you play football or wrestle you can't use the weight room. They all had legitimate concerns so I let them run with the story. Now I have the Booster moms slamming my editor and me as an advisor on facebook. I guess they have never heard of Freedom of Speech. I have always told the students they can write anything as long as it is school appropriate and they don't target any one person. Sometimes my job isn't very easy. People like to blame me for everything, but I can take it. I wish they would come to me because I would explain the students' rights to them.
Summer starts in 8 1/2 days!!!! I have a list of over 20 projects I want to finish and I am itching to get going on them. I am going to be teaching Zumba a few days a week, but they won't take up my entire day so I will have plenty of time to work in my projects. I also want to put time aside every evening and write. I have 2 or 3 books started( and several more still in my head) and it is time to make them a priority. I may never get them published but I won't know until I try!
Love Ya,
Cindy
Romeo is up to 54 pound now and he is only 4 1/2 months old. Paul cut me a path around our property and I take the dogs for a walk almost every day. I call it El Rastro de Ramirez (Ramirez Trail). Romeo has the sweetest disposition. He loves to cuddle and is always happy. He is starting to lose the fuzzy puppy fur and get some silky fur. I don't like him growing up but that's what I signed up for. I just want him to stay that fluffy puppy forever.
Last Wednesday night I went to the Sex and the City 2 midnight showing with Paul, Cheri, and Alex. She wanted to see it with me before she left for Alabama with Alex's family. Friday I went to Kalamazoo and saw it again with Clint and Amanda. We did dinner, movie, and cocktails afterwards at Burdicks (where Amanda works). Saturday we waited for Clint to get off work at 1 PM and then we took off to South Haven to shop, walk on the pier, and walk on the beach. It was a wonderful day. The kids' apartment is beautiful. They live on the ground floor and out their sliding glass door is an incredible yard. I have a picture below. On Sunday I went to see SATC 2 again with the girls from Zumba after a nice dinner at the Elephant Bar. Good thing it was a good movie! BTW - I wore my Jimmy Choos every time I went!!!
School is winding down to the last 2 weeks. We are done with the final newspaper and the yearbook. I have a picture of the kids sorting the yearbooks for distribution. I don't think anyone knows what goes into the creating and distribution of this book. It is a HUGE undertaking. The book was beautiful and won an Award of Excellence. This means our book will be used for sale promotions and educational examples. The kids were really proud of this achievement. Our newspaper has taking a lot of heat this year because my kids write about some subjects that others aren't thrilled about. They wrote one about band, robotics, and choir not being a sport and should not get varsity letters and jackets. That prompted some angry letters. They also wrote about this contest we are in with Pepsi trying to get enough votes to win $250,000 to build a new weight room for our athletes. My students thought some of the other groups running had more right to win (homeless shelter, cancer research, etc). The people that started this contest said that it would help fight obesity, but the kids said that unless you play football or wrestle you can't use the weight room. They all had legitimate concerns so I let them run with the story. Now I have the Booster moms slamming my editor and me as an advisor on facebook. I guess they have never heard of Freedom of Speech. I have always told the students they can write anything as long as it is school appropriate and they don't target any one person. Sometimes my job isn't very easy. People like to blame me for everything, but I can take it. I wish they would come to me because I would explain the students' rights to them.
Summer starts in 8 1/2 days!!!! I have a list of over 20 projects I want to finish and I am itching to get going on them. I am going to be teaching Zumba a few days a week, but they won't take up my entire day so I will have plenty of time to work in my projects. I also want to put time aside every evening and write. I have 2 or 3 books started( and several more still in my head) and it is time to make them a priority. I may never get them published but I won't know until I try!
Love Ya,
Cindy
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About Me
- Cindy
- I am a mother and a grandmother (how did that happen?)I am a teacher. I teach English, Yearbook, Speech and Theater, and Zumba. I have taught many other things over the years. I love teaching.